RE: Vauxhall Astra Nurburgring Edition
Discussion
thekirbyfake said:
morgrp said:
as for the Renault badge image, how many Vauxhalls do you know that have won the Formula 1 world championship???
What a strange thing to say.Other than "F1" and "R26" in the moniker the Renault shares absolutely nothing with the Formula 1 car (that got trounced last season) whereas Vauxhall races a recognisable VXR in the BTCC.
I think anyone with a Ford, Renault or Vauxhall getting into a pissing contest about who has the most prestigious brand is a bit bizarre.
Not a fan at all... the VXR badge is merely a marketing ploy created by Vauxhall, a brand with no heritage or anything to write home about. The name came about after a few lads from the Vauxhall Sports Car Club were invited to a wee discussion with Vauxhall big wigs. This latest effort is terrible... the whole "Nurburgring" thing that the marketing are branding about like there's no tommorrow is a joke, it completely ruins the Ring and what it means. There will be scores of blonde tosspots cruising around thinking they're driving Gods, just because the car can in theory do a couple of quick laps. And 8min 35secs isn't exactly fast for a bespoke 260bhp hot hatch driven by a proffesional.
I just hate it... like the car, despise the image it thinks it deserves
I just hate it... like the car, despise the image it thinks it deserves
Davie said:
Not a fan at all... the VXR badge is merely a marketing ploy created by Vauxhall, a brand with no heritage or anything to write home about. The name came about after a few lads from the Vauxhall Sports Car Club were invited to a wee discussion with Vauxhall big wigs. This latest effort is terrible... the whole "Nurburgring" thing that the marketing are branding about like there's no tommorrow is a joke, it completely ruins the Ring and what it means. There will be scores of blonde tosspots cruising around thinking they're driving Gods, just because the car can in theory do a couple of quick laps. And 8min 35secs isn't exactly fast for a bespoke 260bhp hot hatch driven by a proffesional.
I just hate it... like the car, despise the image it thinks it deserves
You wern't sacked from a Job at Vauxhall were you? lol, Strong opinion there. You don't have to like it, but why despise it? Wouldn't go as far to say its Ruined the ring though. Im sure that all 835 versions will be sold in a short space of time. Fact is though for a front wheel drive 1400 kilo vauxhall, it is setting similar times to the honda nsx, porsche 997 etc. No matter what your opinion on vauxhall that is an impressive achievement.I just hate it... like the car, despise the image it thinks it deserves
Also note to those that say if they were 20+, they wouldn't buy one of these, they would go for a tvr, escort cosworth etc!, Have you seen the sorts of money insurance companies are asking for? My dad says I can have his b5 RS4 for my 21st, but I very much doubt that I will be able to get insured! So until then I will keep driving my VXR.
Edited by lgmini on Wednesday 5th December 23:45
I like the look of that. I saw a normal Astra VXR when I popped into a main dealer a couple of weeks back and really liked the look of it, especially those chunky recaros. Unfortunately a test drive was a no no. 
As for Renaults heritage, I think that BTCC success atleast has some relavence to road cars, a bit of success in formula 1 does not.
Also what people seemed to have missed is that this is a totally different car to a Tiv or z4 etc. It has a lot of practicality and could probably be run on a daily basis without much trouble. I doubt the same would be true of a Tiv. Also these cars when new also cost far in excess of 20k and obviously somebody had to buy them new at some point too!
I would seriously consider a VXR in 3-4 years time as I doubt insurance would be viable on anything quicker like an M3 or R34 skyline or Evo until I'm in my late 20's.
As for Renaults heritage, I think that BTCC success atleast has some relavence to road cars, a bit of success in formula 1 does not.
Also what people seemed to have missed is that this is a totally different car to a Tiv or z4 etc. It has a lot of practicality and could probably be run on a daily basis without much trouble. I doubt the same would be true of a Tiv. Also these cars when new also cost far in excess of 20k and obviously somebody had to buy them new at some point too!
I would seriously consider a VXR in 3-4 years time as I doubt insurance would be viable on anything quicker like an M3 or R34 skyline or Evo until I'm in my late 20's.
thekirbyfake said:
Ahonen said:
The general level of over-excitement, foaming at the mouth, wailing, gnashing of teeth and foot-stamping from some on this thread is very funny. That word 'Vauxhall' seems to provoke considerable reaction, which must delight their marketing fellows.
Funny, isn't it? Perhaps they are just bitter because they've just found out that their car is in fact slower than an Opel shopping trolley?Oh, and by the way, why are Vx only making 835 cars? The lap time was 8:35.93 which is 836 in my book.
[/pedant]
Davie said:
Not a fan at all... the VXR badge is merely a marketing ploy created by Vauxhall, a brand with no heritage or anything to write home about. The name came about after a few lads from the Vauxhall Sports Car Club were invited to a wee discussion with Vauxhall big wigs. This latest effort is terrible... the whole "Nurburgring" thing that the marketing are branding about like there's no tommorrow is a joke, it completely ruins the Ring and what it means. There will be scores of blonde tosspots cruising around thinking they're driving Gods, just because the car can in theory do a couple of quick laps. And 8min 35secs isn't exactly fast for a bespoke 260bhp hot hatch driven by a proffesional.
I just hate it... like the car, despise the image it thinks it deserves
Marketing ploy? Do you know anything at all? VXRacing hence VXR is Vauxhalls touring car team, the Astra was used to great lengths the season before last.I just hate it... like the car, despise the image it thinks it deserves
Davie said:
Not a fan at all... the VXR badge is merely a marketing ploy created by Vauxhall, a brand with no heritage or anything to write home about. The name came about after a few lads from the Vauxhall Sports Car Club were invited to a wee discussion with Vauxhall big wigs. This latest effort is terrible... the whole "Nurburgring" thing that the marketing are branding about like there's no tommorrow is a joke, it completely ruins the Ring and what it means. There will be scores of blonde tosspots cruising around thinking they're driving Gods, just because the car can in theory do a couple of quick laps. And 8min 35secs isn't exactly fast for a bespoke 260bhp hot hatch driven by a proffesional.
I just hate it... like the car, despise the image it thinks it deserves
Not a fan then. How is the Cavalier 4x4 turbo running ?I just hate it... like the car, despise the image it thinks it deserves
Stu
I actually agree with Dave on the VXR thing - it's just three letters and an excuse for the marketing people to do some different brochures, in RED, proclaiming some stuff about not very much at all.
Same really, because although Vauxhall/Opel don't have any F1 heritage to draw on, they have been remarkably successful in the world of tin-tops and rallying - which did create some spin-offs which could have been drawn on.
For example, the 'i' still carries some kudos - i200, i240, etc. The GSi badge used to mean something when it was stuck on the back of Carltons, Cavaliers, and the MK3 Astra. Then there were various low run oddities like the Nova Rallye thing, the LE & DTM edition Calibras, and other stuff.
However, if they wanted to draw on their heritage in the UK, what they really should have done with thing was released it as the Astra Cleland (fitted, of course, with reinforced front bumpers, lights permanently on, and competition tow hooks).
Tartan swathe across the dash optional.
The brochure could then have featured all those upset by the Cleland...
Sytner, Rouse, Gravett, Rydell, etc etc..
And they could deliver it direct to your door, via your hedge, on it's roof...
Same really, because although Vauxhall/Opel don't have any F1 heritage to draw on, they have been remarkably successful in the world of tin-tops and rallying - which did create some spin-offs which could have been drawn on.
For example, the 'i' still carries some kudos - i200, i240, etc. The GSi badge used to mean something when it was stuck on the back of Carltons, Cavaliers, and the MK3 Astra. Then there were various low run oddities like the Nova Rallye thing, the LE & DTM edition Calibras, and other stuff.
However, if they wanted to draw on their heritage in the UK, what they really should have done with thing was released it as the Astra Cleland (fitted, of course, with reinforced front bumpers, lights permanently on, and competition tow hooks).
Tartan swathe across the dash optional.
The brochure could then have featured all those upset by the Cleland...
Sytner, Rouse, Gravett, Rydell, etc etc..
And they could deliver it direct to your door, via your hedge, on it's roof...
Edited by Dunk76 on Thursday 6th December 09:45
Ojc said:
Did Ford get this problem when they released the first RS after their success in Rallying? Sorry but people that are moaning about brand name and heritage are talking rubbish. VXR is a new name to the scene, just like RS was new 25 years ago. Get over it.
Which I agree with. Listening to some people you have to win an F1 World Championship to have a decent brand.Vauxhall did make some pretty well regarded cars once upon a time, perhaps they could return to the GTE branding one day? Certainly stands out from the crowds of 'i' and 'r' monikers which everybody uses these days.
Ojc said:
Davie said:
Not a fan at all... the VXR badge is merely a marketing ploy created by Vauxhall, a brand with no heritage or anything to write home about. The name came about after a few lads from the Vauxhall Sports Car Club were invited to a wee discussion with Vauxhall big wigs. This latest effort is terrible... the whole "Nurburgring" thing that the marketing are branding about like there's no tommorrow is a joke, it completely ruins the Ring and what it means. There will be scores of blonde tosspots cruising around thinking they're driving Gods, just because the car can in theory do a couple of quick laps. And 8min 35secs isn't exactly fast for a bespoke 260bhp hot hatch driven by a proffesional.
I just hate it... like the car, despise the image it thinks it deserves
Marketing ploy? Do you know anything at all? VXRacing hence VXR is Vauxhalls touring car team, the Astra was used to great lengths the season before last.I just hate it... like the car, despise the image it thinks it deserves
Ahonen said:
Vauxhall is currently the best selling brand in Britain
Vauxhall have increased their sales in the UK by 10% (2007 vs 2006 YTD) but they're still behind Ford.The figures I have show Ford just outselling Vauxhall (306k vs 291k YTD Oct).
Pvapour said:
thekirbyfake said:
Oh, and by the way, why are Vx only making 835 cars? The lap time was 8:35.93 which is 836 in my book.
[/pedant]
is that because you over estimate things [/pedant]
The whole 'VXR means nothing' statement, is irrelevant... if you were a kid in the 80's Ford's XR range was the business.... but for our dads of that era it meant nowt. Like the ST range today doesn't mean much really, but for todays kids its where it's at. The only Ford badge with any real clout is RS.
So back in the day Vauxhall had SRi, GSi - but no RS equivalent
Today you still have SRi - but based on motorsport, Vauxhall are trying to build a performance brand, whats wrong with that? It may only last as long as Ford's XR moniker, but blimey the amount of venom being spouted here beggars belief....sweeping opinion of a brand based on one Clarkson's (perfectly judged) critic of an old Vectra making quite a few of you look foolish....IMO
So back in the day Vauxhall had SRi, GSi - but no RS equivalent
Today you still have SRi - but based on motorsport, Vauxhall are trying to build a performance brand, whats wrong with that? It may only last as long as Ford's XR moniker, but blimey the amount of venom being spouted here beggars belief....sweeping opinion of a brand based on one Clarkson's (perfectly judged) critic of an old Vectra making quite a few of you look foolish....IMO
Well, if any of you lot checked my profile, you'd see I've got GM stamped right through me. I was trying to make light of situation given some of the vitriolic responses.
My only real criticism of the whole VXR thing is that Vauxhall really are trying too hard with exterior adornments.
I'd wager that I fall into the Vauxhall preferred demographic for the VXR8 and Vectra VXR - 30s, high income, current with the Germans, had hot Vauxhalls before.
Unfortunately, the slightly boy-racerish Vectra, and frankly ridiculous dogs dinner of the VXR8 exterior put me off. Which is a bit of a shame, when Vauxhall used to know how to do discreet sledgehammer saloons.
My only real criticism of the whole VXR thing is that Vauxhall really are trying too hard with exterior adornments.
I'd wager that I fall into the Vauxhall preferred demographic for the VXR8 and Vectra VXR - 30s, high income, current with the Germans, had hot Vauxhalls before.
Unfortunately, the slightly boy-racerish Vectra, and frankly ridiculous dogs dinner of the VXR8 exterior put me off. Which is a bit of a shame, when Vauxhall used to know how to do discreet sledgehammer saloons.
Agoogy said:
The whole 'VXR means nothing' statement, is irrelevant... if you were a kid in the 80's Ford's XR range was the business.... but for our dads of that era it meant nowt. Like the ST range today doesn't mean much really, but for todays kids its where it's at. The only Ford badge with any real clout is RS.
So back in the day Vauxhall had SRi, GSi - but no RS equivalent
Today you still have SRi - but based on motorsport, Vauxhall are trying to build a performance brand, whats wrong with that? It may only last as long as Ford's XR moniker, but blimey the amount of venom being spouted here beggars belief....sweeping opinion of a brand based on one Clarkson's (perfectly judged) critic of an old Vectra making quite a few of you look foolish....IMO
Amen, round of applause. So back in the day Vauxhall had SRi, GSi - but no RS equivalent
Today you still have SRi - but based on motorsport, Vauxhall are trying to build a performance brand, whats wrong with that? It may only last as long as Ford's XR moniker, but blimey the amount of venom being spouted here beggars belief....sweeping opinion of a brand based on one Clarkson's (perfectly judged) critic of an old Vectra making quite a few of you look foolish....IMO
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff